Teenager found dead after missing at Caswell Memorial State Park, officials say
RIPON, Calif. —
A 17-year-old boy who went missing in Caswell Memorial State Park was found dead Sunday, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
On Saturday afternoon, Ripon Consolidated Fire Department received a call for a swimmer in distress at the state park in San Joaquin County. The park is located along the Stanislaus River.
According to a post on social media, Ripon Fire crews were fighting a vegetation fire at the time, so Manteca Fire Department stepped in to handle the call.
The sheriff’s office said the teenager went underwater while rafting and then did not resurface. The search began Saturday at 4 p.m. and continued until nightfall. It resumed until Sunday when his body was recovered around 1 p.m., the sheriff’s office said.
Family identified the teen as Gabriel Santiago. His mother told KCRA 3’s Anahita Jafary that he was a loving child and was with friends before he drowned.
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The sheriff’s office has confirmed 17 year old Gabriel Santiago was found dead in the Stanislaus River. His family was notified and sent us this photo of him. His mother tells me he was a loving child and was with friends yesterday when he drowned. @kcranews pic.twitter.com/7Xl2vHr8lJ
— Anahita Jafary (@anahitajafary_) August 2, 2026
The sheriff’s office is leading the investigation with its Boating Safety unit, the Unmanned Aircraft System team and Ripon Fire personnel.
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